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Katt Williams

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Not to be confused with Kat Williams or William Katt.

Katt Williams
Williams in 2017
Birth nameMicah Williams
Born (1971-09-02) September 2, 1971 (age 53)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
MediumStand-up comedy, television, film, music
GenresBlack comedy, blue comedy, satire, observational comedy, physical comedy
Subject(s)African-American culture, racism, politics, celebrities, sex
Children10 (3 biological, 7 adopted)
Websitekattwilliamslive.com

Micah "Katt" Williams (born September 2, 1971) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He played Money Mike in Friday After Next, was a recurring guest on Wild 'n Out, portrayed Bobby Shaw in My Wife and Kids, provided the voice of A Pimp Named Slickback in The Boondocks and Seamus in Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, and portrayed Lord Have Mercy in Norbit. In 2008, he voiced himself in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV.

Early life

Micah Williams was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 2, 1971.[1][2][3] He was raised in Dayton, Ohio by Jehovah's Witness parents.[4][3] He stated that he learned to read at three years old, and was communicating in multiple languages, including French and Creole. During his childhood, he lived in Haiti for a year and a half on religious mission trips with his family.

Williams emancipated himself from his parents at age 13 and moved to Florida. Though homeless and living in a park, he supported himself as a street vendor.[5][6] He stated that he wanted to remain God's friend.[4]

Career

Stand-up comedy

Williams started performing comedy in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati.[7][8] He honed his comic delivery by performing his routine in clubs around the country and had become an established comic by 1999, appearing at the likes of The Improv, The Comedy Club, The Ice House, and Hollywood Park Casino. Most notably, he appeared on BET's ComicView as Katt "N da Hatt" Williams.[7][8]

Williams starred in his first comedy special, Let a Playa Play, in 2006. His first HBO stand-up special came in 2006 with The Pimp Chronicles, Pt. 1.[7] In 2007, he co-wrote and starred as himself in the comedy film Katt Williams: American Hustle. The film had critical success and established Williams as a mainstream comedian.[7][9] In 2008, he released his second HBO comedy special, It's Pimpin' Pimpin'.[10][11] Keeping busy releasing comedy DVDs and touring, Williams had a comedy tour that was named the best of 2008 by Billboard.[11]

After a four-year hiatus, Williams returned to stand-up in 2012 for his third HBO comedy special, Kattpacalypse.[12] Later that year, one day after an incident at a Seattle bar - in which he reportedly acted threatening and violent, then resisted arrest - landed him in jail, he announced the end of his stand-up comedy career.[13] However, three days later, he announced he would not retire.[14]

Two live performances in November 2012 ended early because of Williams' confrontational behavior. A November 1 performance at the Wells Fargo Theatre in Denver ended after he jumped off the stage to confront a heckler. [15] Williams' November 16 performance at the Oracle Arena in Oakland ended after he engaged in a profanity-laced confrontation with a heckler, and was assisted off stage by his own security.[16]

During late 2013, Williams was on his Growth Spurt Tour.[17] On August 16, 2014, he returned with a new HBO special titled Katt Williams: Priceless: Afterlife, which was directed by Spike Lee.[18][19]

In September 2015, during an interview, Williams announced and described his upcoming Conspiracy Theory Tour: "The conspiracy conversation is a conversation that we are all familiar with. We know that there are conspiracies out there, but this is a conversation that encompasses a lot of things that aren't being discussed other places. That's the basis for all conspiracy theories: the fact that there is hidden information out there, and how our process changes about things that we thought we used to know. We all, at some point, if we're are at a certain age, we grew up thinking Pluto was a planet. This is probably going to go down as one of my finest works, just because it's a collection of forbidden topics that we can't seem to get answered. I am one of the rare urban public officials. Part of my guarantee in my ticket price is that I'm going to be talking about what we are talking about now, and discussing from now to the next time we see [me] again. This is the open discussion that we've had since 2003. This is what it is about."[20]

In 2018, Williams released a new stand-up special on Netflix called Great America and shot in Jacksonville, Florida.[21] In 2022, he released a new stand-up special on Netflix called World War III.

Acting

In 2002, Williams made his acting debut on NYPD Blue on the sixth episode of its tenth season on October 29. Williams is best-known for his character Money Mike in the film Friday After Next (2002), and has played supporting characters in Norbit (2007) and First Sunday (2008).[7]

He appeared in the official music video for Nick Cannon's single "Gigolo" in 2003. He next appeared as a regular on Wild 'n Out on MTV during its first three seasons.[7]

In 2007, Williams provided the voice of A Pimp Named Slickback in The Boondocks. He plays himself as an on-stage stand-up comedian in Grand Theft Auto IV performing several routines, including an abbreviated version of one of his routines from Katt Williams: American Hustle. He has appeared in several episodes of My Wife and Kids as character Bobby Shaw. He was the roastmaster of the Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav.[7][8]

In 2018, he played the character Willy in the season 2 premiere of Atlanta, for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.

Music

Williams has also used the stage name "Money Mike" when rapping for songs by such artists as Baby Bash, The Game, and Suga Free. In 2006, he joined rapper Cam'ron's group The Diplomats, but was never signed as an official artist for the label.[22] On January 29, 2009, he released his debut studio/live album, It's Pimpin' Pimpin'. On November 19, 2013, he and Hell Rell released a diss song to Atlanta rapper Trinidad James entitled "Lames in the Game" due to comments made by James about the state of current hip hop music.[23]

Media appearances

In January 2024, Williams was featured on retired NFL tight-end Shannon Sharpe's podcast, Club Shay Shay. This episode gained significant attention, with over 18.5 million YouTube views in less than 48 hours. Williams' forthright and humorous discussion on the podcast included various topics such as his experiences in the entertainment industry, his approach to comedy, and his perspectives on other comedians.

During the interview, Williams remarked, "Well as a comedian, you get free drinks at the club. So... All comedians either turn out to be connoisseurs like myself or straight up and down alcoholics like 60% of Hollywood."[24]

Williams also shared his candid views on acting, saying: "[Rickey Smiley] and Tyler Perry, he can't play a man to save his life. They play good women, and I believe that the best actor should be in the best role." In the same interview, when describing his childhood, Williams said, "I'm probably reading 3,000 books a year from the time that I'm 8 years old to the time that I'm 12."[25] That figure averages out to over 8 books per day.

Continuing the interview, Williams stated he met late songwriter Prince when he was 12.[26] However, in a 2008 interview with Conan O'Brien, it was stated Williams had met Prince fairly recently, with Williams saying Prince was all the things he thought he was going to be.[27]

On November 13, 2006, Williams was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after a gun that had been reported stolen was found in his briefcase.[28] On December 14, he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed firearm and was sentenced to three years' probation, ordered to pay restitution, and given credit for the three days he spent in jail.[2]

In November 2010, Williams was arrested by police while working on a film in Coweta County, Georgia. He was accused of stealing $3,500 worth of coins and jewelry. He was released the following day on a $40,000 bond.[29] Police later charged him with burglary and criminal trespass.[30]

On June 11, 2011, Williams was arrested in connection with an alleged assault on a tractor driver. The alleged victim said three women approached his tractor at around 4:30 p.m. local time and attacked him with rocks and dirt clods, causing him facial injuries.[31] Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officers arrived on the scene and arrested the three women for assault with a deadly weapon, and arrested Williams for felony intimidation of a witness.[32] He was booked into jail and released that same night on $50,000 bail.[32]

On November 15, 2012, Williams was arrested in Oakland, California, on charges of suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon; he had allegedly beaten an 18-year-old man with a bottle aboard Williams' tour bus in Berkeley, California.[33]

An attendee of Williams' shortened performance at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on November 16, 2012, filed a class action lawsuit days after the event, seeking compensation for himself and "all others who paid money for a show, but got nothing but Katt Williams' nonperformance".[34]

On December 2, 2012, Williams was arrested in Seattle after he allegedly got into a dispute at a bar in the South Lake Union neighborhood. His arrest came after he no-showed the first night of a planned two-night performance at the Paramount Theatre.[35] Five days later, he was arrested in Dunnigan, California, on a bench warrant arising from an incident the previous month in Sacramento, California, during which he allegedly drove a three-wheeled motorbike onto a sidewalk and refused to stop for police. The resulting chase was halted due to safety concerns, and the bench warrant was issued after Williams narrowly missed several bystanders.[36]

On December 28, 2012, Williams was arrested in Los Angeles on child endangerment charges. He was held in lieu of $100,000 bail, and four of his adopted children were placed in protective custody.[37] According to reports, the case fell apart and no trial was scheduled.[38]

On January 8, 2013, Williams was arrested at his Los Angeles home after failing to appear in Sacramento to answer the November 25 motorbike charges.[39]

On October 29, 2014, Williams and Suge Knight were arrested for the theft of a camera from a photographer in Beverly Hills on September 5.[40] In April 2017, Williams pled no contest to the charge of robbery and was ordered to undertake a year of anger management classes as well as receiving three years' probation.[41]

On February 29, 2016, Williams was arrested in Gainesville, Georgia, when a clerk at a swimming pool store said Williams had hit him. When police arrived, they found Williams already lying face down with his hands behind his back, waiting to be handcuffed.[42]

On March 23, 2016, a video went viral of the 44-year-old Williams getting into a fight with a 17-year-old boy following a dispute during a soccer game in Gainesville. The authorities planned to review the incident with the DA in addition to his ongoing court cases.[43][44]

On April 27, 2016, Williams was arrested and charged with battery in Atlanta, Georgia, after allegedly throwing a salt shaker at the manager of a local restaurant. The manager claimed to have been hit in the mouth with the salt shaker when Williams' group was denied preferential seating.[45]

On July 24, 2016, Williams was arrested on suspicion of battery after an altercation with a woman at the Sportsman's Lodge, a hotel in Sherman Oaks, California.[46]

On September 15, 2016, Williams was arrested in Fulton County, Georgia, on a charge of second-degree criminal damage to property, after having turned himself in on a warrant for failing to appear in court for the April 27 incident. This new arrest involved an allegation from February 28, 2016, stating that Williams had thrown a man's cellphone.[47]

On October 6, 2018, Williams was arrested in Portland, Oregon, on a charge of assault in the fourth degree, after he assaulted a driver during an argument about his dog. He was additionally arrested on an outstanding warrant from Georgia.[48]

Personal life

Williams has ten children consisting of three biological and seven adopted children.[49] Williams is a Christian and often wears a cross during his shows as a symbol of his faith, though he briefly joined the Nation of Islam while living in Oakland, California.[50]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
2002 Friday After Next Money Mike
2004 Choices 2 Pimp in Pink Video
2005 Treasure N Tha Hood Reverend Ike
Ganked Shane Ross Video
Rebound Preacher Don's Sidekick
2006 Repos Mr. Henderson Video
It Ain't Easy - Video
2007 Epic Movie Harry Beaver
Norbit Lord Have Mercy
Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular Wiseman TV movie
The Perfect Holiday Delicious
2008 First Sunday Rickey
Adventures of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment Himself (voice)
Lonely Street Rodent
Internet Dating Mickey Video
2009 Young American Gangstas Joe Joe Brown
2010 Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore Seamus (voice)
2012 The Obama Effect MLK
2013 Scary Movie 5 Blaine Fulda
2014 School Dance Darren
2015 American Bad Boy The Bruce
2017 Father Figures Hitchhiker (The Universe)
2020 2 Minutes of Fame Marques
2021 The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 Dr. Mamuwalde
For the Love of Money Pastor G

Television

Year Show Role Notes
2002 NYPD Blue Martel Cates Episode: "Maya Con Dios"
2003-04 The Tracy Morgan Show Freddie Main Cast
2004-05 My Wife and Kids Bobby Shaw Recurring Cast: Season 5
2005 Love Lounge Himself Episode: "The Naked Truth"
ComicView Himself Episode: "Episode #14.1" & "#14.21"
Girlfriends Rick Beatty Episode: "Sleeping Dogs"
Cuts Barry Recurring Cast: Season 2
2005-07 Wild 'n Out Himself Main Cast: Season 1-4
2005-08 The Boondocks A Pimp Named Slickback (voice) Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2
2006 Def Comedy Jam Himself Episode: "Episode #7.4"
2006-07 BET Hip Hop Awards Himself/Host Main Host
2007 Comics Unleashed Himself Episode: "Feb 20, 2007"
Comedy Central Roast Himself/Roastmaster Episode: "Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav"
Nick Cannon Presents: Short Circuitz Himself Main Cast
2008 Black Poker Stars Invitational Himself Main Guest
2009 Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List Himself Episode: "Kathy at the Apollo"
2012 Comics Unleashed Himself Episode: "Feb 6, 2012"
2016 Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta Himself Episode: "Lovers or Friends?"
2018 Atlanta Willie Episode: "Alligator Man"
2019 Town Bizzness Himself Episode: "Yukmouth in Portland"
Black-ish Perry Episode: "Enough Is Enough"
2020 The Last O.G. Fred Episode: "Family Feud"
2022 Atlanta Willie Episode: "Light Skinned-ed"

Stand-up comedy specials

Year Title
2006 Katt Williams: The Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1
2006 Katt Williams Live
2007 Katt Williams: American Hustle
2008 Katt Williams: It's Pimpin' Pimpin'
2009 Katt Williams Presents Katthouse Comedy
2009 Katt Williams: Pimpadelic
2009 Katt Williams: The Katt Phenomenon
2010 Katt Williams: 9 Lives
2012 Katt Williams: Kattpacalypse
2014 Katt Williams: Priceless: Afterlife
2018 Katt Williams: Great America
2022 Katt Williams: World War III

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Himself Voice role

Documentaries

Year Film
2008 Pimpadelic
2009 Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy

Discography

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
 US Heat
The Pimp Chronicles
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Salient Media
  • Formats: CD, LP
 — —
It's Pimpin' Pimpin' 174 5
Pimpadelic — —
Kattpacalypse
  • Released: September 18, 2012
  • Label: KattPack / E1 Music
  • Formats: CD, LP
 — —
Live
  • Released: October 15, 2012
  • Label: Three T's Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, LP
 — —

Awards and nominations

In 2007, Williams was nominated for the Teen Choice Awards Choice Comedian Award.[51]

In 2018, he won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on the show Atlanta.[52]

Year Award show Category Work Result Ref.
2007 Teen Choice Awards Choice Comedian — Nominated [51]
2018 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Atlanta: Alligator Man Won [52]

References

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  2. ^ a b "Comedian Katt Williams Sentenced". Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: WPVI-TV. Associated Press. December 14, 2006. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2008. ...whose full name is Micah S. Katt Williams....
  3. ^ a b "Bio". kattwilliams.com. Katt Williams. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Williams, Katt. "Katt Williams Unleashed CLUB SHAY SHAY". Interviewed by Shannon Sharpe. YouTube. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Katt Williams Biography". Biography.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  6. ^ Getlen, Larry (August 9, 2014). "The chaotic life of comedy's greatest mystery". New York Post. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Biography". Kattwilliams.com. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "Katt Williams biography". Biography.com. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Williams, Kam. "Katt Williams: American Hustle". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  10. ^ Glaysher, Scott (May 5, 2017). "Katt Williams - It's Pimpin' Pimpin'". Exclaim!. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Sanneh, Kelefa (April 6, 2009). "Last Laugh". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  12. ^ "DVD Review: Katt Williams – Kattpacalypse". CHUD.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  13. ^ "Katt Williams: 'I'm kinda done' with stand-up comedy career". CNN.com. December 3, 2012.
  14. ^ "Katt Williams Not Retiring From Stand-Up Comedy, Just Felt Unappreciated". huffingtonpost.com. December 6, 2012.
  15. ^ Wenzel, John (November 3, 2012). "Katt Williams fans furious after bizarre Denver show". denverpost.com. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  16. ^ Jimenez, Daniel (November 17, 2012). "Comedian Katt Williams' onstage meltdown in Oakland brings angry response from fans". MercuryNews.com. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  17. ^ "Katt Williams Presents The Katt is Back Tour in Las Vegas, 11/9 - BWWComedyWorld". Broadwayworld.com. November 8, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  18. ^ Obenson, Tambay A. (May 8, 2014). "Spike Lee Will Direct Katt Williams' Return to HBO In New - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  19. ^ "'Katt Williams: Priceless: Afterlife,' TV review". Daily News. New York. August 16, 2014.
  20. ^ "Katt Williams Announces 'Conspiracy Theory' Tour". Rolling Stone. September 3, 2015.
  21. ^ "What's on TV Tuesday: 'Katt Williams: Great America' and 'Black Lightning'". The New York Times. January 16, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  22. ^ Richburg, Chris (January 30, 2007). "Katt Williams Rap/Comedy Album On The Way, New Films, TV Show In The Works". Allhiphop. AllHipHop.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  23. ^ "New Music: Hell Rell And Katt Williams Diss Trinidad James With 'Lames In The Game'". Vibe. November 19, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  24. ^ "Unmasking Hollywood: Katt Williams' Explosive Revelations on Club Shay Shay". Meechi.com. January 4, 2024.
  25. ^ "Katt Williams Unleashed CLUB SHAY SHAY". YouTube. January 3, 2024.
  26. ^ Williams, Katt. "Katt Williams & Prince's Friendship: Women, Cars, Business and Lyrics". YouTube. Interviewed by Shannon Sharpe. CLUB SHAY SHAY.
  27. ^ Williams, Katt. "Katt Williams Thinks Rappers Are Funnier Than Comedians". YouTube. Interviewed by Conan O'Brien. Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
  28. ^ "Katt Williams arrested on gun charge at LAX". USA Today. November 7, 2006.
  29. ^ "Katt Williams released, facing burglary charge". CNN. November 10, 2009. Archived from the original on November 13, 2009.
  30. ^ "Katt Williams Speaks Out On Being Detained At Wal-Mart! "This Is A Witch Hunt" (Cops Damaging $1,000's Of His Equipment For No Reason)". WorldStarHipHop. December 5, 2009. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  31. ^ "Katt Williams Arrested in Assault on Tractor Driver". Fresno, California: KFSN-TV. June 14, 2011. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  32. ^ a b "Katt Williams Arrested -- Let The Tractor Driver Go!". TMZ.com. June 13, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015.
  33. ^ St. Clair, Katy (November 15, 2012). "Katt Williams arrested in Oakland after show, accused of hitting man with a bottle". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  34. ^ Hurd, Rick (November 27, 2012). "Katt Williams' meltdown in Oakland leads to lawsuit from disappointed fan". East Bay Times. Contra Costa Times. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  35. ^ Shaw, Linda (December 2, 2012). "Stand-up comic arrested after dispute". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
  36. ^ "Katt Williams arrested again". komonews.com. December 9, 2012.
  37. ^ "Katt Williams Arrested For Child Endangerment, May Face Felony Charges". inquisitr.com. December 28, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  38. ^ "Katt Williams Catches A Break In Felony Child Endangerment Case". tmz.com. January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  39. ^ "Katt Williams arrested in LA on Sacramento bench warrant". Kcra.com. January 8, 2013. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  40. ^ Almasy, Steve (October 29, 2014). "Suge Knight, Katt Williams arrested in paparazzi camera theft case". CNN. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  41. ^ Queally, James (April 18, 2017). "Comedian Katt Williams ordered to complete anger management classes in Beverly Hills robbery case". Los Angeles Times.
  42. ^ "Comedian Katt Williams arrested in Georgia". WHBQ.
  43. ^ "KATT WILLIAMS Proof In Video Pudding KATT PUNCHED FIRST". TMZ. March 24, 2016.
  44. ^ "Katt Williams Breaks Down The Reason Behind His Fight With A 17-Year-Old". Vibe. March 26, 2016.
  45. ^ Baker, Soren (April 28, 2016). "Katt Williams Arrested For Battery After Salt Shaker Incident". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  46. ^ "Katt Williams Arrested for Battery on a Woman". TMZ.com. July 24, 2016. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  47. ^ Martin, Jeff; Brumback, Kate (September 16, 2016). "Comedian Katt Williams arrested again over cellphone dispute". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  48. ^ Njus, Elliot (October 7, 2018). "Comedian Katt Williams arrested in Portland after argument about dog". Oregonlive.com. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  49. ^ "Katt Williams on Club Shay Shay". YouTube.
  50. ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on June 20, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  51. ^ a b "Katt Williams". IMDb.
  52. ^ a b "Katt Williams ('Atlanta') upsets Bill Hader and Donald Glover to win Best Comedy Guest Actor Emmy". Gold Derby. September 8, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
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